The Irish government has confirmed it will not sell its 25 percent stake in Aer Lingus to Ryanair.

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar said that selling to Ryanair was not in the best interest of competition, connectivity, and employment.

Ryanair is Aer Lingus’ biggest shareholder with a 30 percent stake.

"The Ryanair offer and at least the remedies that are being reported are not sufficient in our view, so we won't support their bid and, in addition, won't co-operate with their remedies package," Minister Varadkar told journalists on Tuesday.